From DaveS: More Adventures In the Congo, and something Newly Acquired [New Acquisitions] (95 points)

So, I've painted some more of the miniatures that I got for playing Congo, although I have never actually played the game (or even read the rules for that matter), relying on the prebuilt "Expedition Packs" from North Star to decide what I should include. These are made up of the rest of the units that were unpainted from the last post, plus a few additions to units that I realised I hadn't fished out of the "Drawer being used as a shelf support".

First, we have the final 2 archers for the unit.  These were painted in an identical fashion to the others, using predominantly contrast paint.  Since severl people asked, I used GW Contrast Wildwood for the skin for all of the Natives in this post.

Next, we have another Askari that I found, to bring the total unit size to 5.

A unit of scouts.  These didn't come with spears, and led to some consternation, as I know that when I first bought these, a friend kindly donated some brass wire spears for me to complete them.  Several years later, I have no idea where these are (believe me, I looked), and so having checked the online stock, I tried my FLGS.  Who showed me to a 10'x4' display of blisters, and let me know they were in there somewhere!!!!!! (I should stress that had I ordered them from the website, they would have dug them out for me).  As the wife was in the car at the time, I declined to go through 100s of blisters, and so these have spears donated from some sprues of Ancient Celts.....

Next, we move on to what are referred to on the box as "Explorers".  These were again, painted mostly with contrast paints.  I'm probably most happy with these of all the models that I painted from this set.

Finally for now, the two characters.  Lady Isobel Poppington herself, and the Professor.

I'm not hugely happy with how Her Ladyship's glasses turned out, but I will live with it I think.  I still have some "Soldiers (Acutally Sailors)" to paint to have the complete expedition finished, but I haven't quite got them polished off yet, so they will have to wait.

As a break, and because I finally got hold of them, I have also painted some of the new GW Legion Imperialis Space Marines. Space Marine was the very first wargame I ever got bought, for christmas when I was still at school. I never played that edition, and a few years ago sold on my attempt to start collecting a force for the NetEpic version that was around online.

But since I had bought a small (honest) number of titans to use with it when this was first announced, I decided that this would break my embargo on buying new models for the challenge.  And thus I present my first 4 bases of Tactical Marines. Since 6mm is .5 points, and 10mm is 1 point per model, I propose .75 points for the 8mm that these are claimed at.  I'm also going to claim New Acquisitions for these, if I may.

So that should make

13x28mm Models at 5pts = 65 Points

20x8mm Models at .75pts = 15 Points

New Acquisition Desk = 20 Points

For a round total of 100pts

TeemuL: More warriors for Congo. The Contrast paints seem to work very well on these minis, they all look great! The Space Marines look good, too. But in the future posts, could you include more photos from different angles and the Challenge Map, please? Especially the Explorers, they do look good and I'd like to see more of them.

I understand your scoring proposal and that was discussed before the Challenge started with Minions, but in the end it was ruled that 6mm category will be known as 6-8mm category from now on, so they are only worth half a point, so total of 10 for Space Marines and 95 in total.

From DaveS - Exploring the Congo - 70pts

 So, it's my first entry into the challenge this year.  I have set myself a very modest target this time, and my goal is to try and use the Challenge and the library to work my way through the "Pile of Potential" (or cupboard full of shame depending on whether the wife is listening)  To this end, I have decided that I will be trying very hard not to buy new models for this challenge.

The fates have already conspired to make the Challenge as hard as possible for me.  Whilst I was basecoating a pile of Battlemechs in grey, I noticed that the Airbrush trigger had gone weird.  Closer examination revealed that the bottom of the lever mechanism had broken off, rendering the brush inoperable until I can replace it.

So, faced with having to change plans very early, I reached into the drawers of potential, and came across the models of Lady Isobel Poppington's expedition.  I bought these for Congo by Studio Tomahawk a long time ago (Years........), and when I looked at the quality of the casting, I simply lost heart, and they got put in the drawer.  But since I am supposed to be reducing the pile of shame, I got them out and got going.

First up, I tackled the Bowmen (women?).  These were probably the cleanest of any of the casts, and were also really easy to paint, simply using citadel contrasts.  They aren't the best models that I have ever done, and the photos show up a LOT of issues, but at gaming ranges they look good enough.

Next were the two Bearers.  These models are again painted really simply with contrast paints.  Again, I am happy with the way they look for "tabletop use"

And finally, we have some Askaris.  These were also painted with contrasts in the same way as the others, and again I am happy with the results.

One consequence of finding these mixed in with a load of other "potential" in a drawer was that I managed to miss a number of the models in my first gathering.  What this means is that I have another Bowman, and Another Askari to paint for these units, as well as the rest of the expedition.

So this should count as 10x28mm models for 50 points, and I am also going to claim the overdue and returns bonus from the library since they should have been painted several years ago, making a grand total of 70 points to start me on my way.

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Welcome back Dave!

While you may be a little uninspired by these models, I think they look excellent. I really like the contrasting yellow and the bases fit the theme perfectly. If I may ask, what Contrast colour did you use for their flesh? The results look great. 

Well done and Happy New Year!

- Curt

From DaveS - Very Big and Very Small (37 Points)

Back to my fourth (I think) challenge, and my latest start so far.  Combine the situation in healthcare in the UK at the moment with my having worked basically every day over christmas, and it has been a delayed start to my painting adventures.

Despite this, and despite me having some very definite plans for my "big" projects for the year, I have nevertheless decided to start with something from the studio.

When it was first released, I was introduced to the game "Moonstone" by Goblin King Games, by a friend who subsequently went on to write a lot of their fiction.  This was pre-pandemic, and I bought a couple of packs of Fairies and a Troll for the game. The fairies I started experimenting with, trying out using inks over zenithal as a painting effect, applying it using my then new airbrush.  I was never that excited by the effect, and the models got put on a shelf and forgotten about.

When I looked at the painting challenge this year, and realised that there was an "Under construction" studio, I realised that I would have to go digging.  A bit of hunting around turned up the models, and I built the troll, and re-undercoated the Fairies.

Therefore, I present you Boulder the Troll

He was painted using mostly contrast paints over a zenithal drybrushed basecoat (So-called "slap chop" method), and then some of the details like the rocks were painted in traditional fashion.  I am quite pleased with the results,given that he didn't take too much effort.

Teetoe is the first of the repainted fairys.  Again, she was mostly done with contrast paint over a drybrushed undercoat, although in her case the skin was given a purple glaze and a highlight to change the tone slightly.  The wings are modelled (loosely) on real butterlies.

One of the things that painting her taught me is that the contrast paints are going to be really useful, due to their slight transparency when trying to paint things like tattoos, and patterns on skin where you want a little of the skin tone to show through (this was discovered painting the black veins on the wings.)

My my count, this is 5 points for a 28mm fairy, 10 points for a 28mm monster, and then 20 points for the under construction Studio, for a total of 35 points.

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Hey Dave, I saw your post in the queue and thought I'd pop it up so you wouldn't have to wait until next Wednesday. 

Great work on these two Moonstone characters! (Our group are big fans of Moonstone as it always seems to give a fun, close-fought and fast game.) 'Boulder' is terrific, especially his paler face in contrast to his darker body (nice horns too!). I also quite like the purple glaze effect on 'Teetoe's' skin - very apropos for a fairy I think. 

I'm scoring 'Teetoe' as a 40mm figure and 'Boulder' as a 54mm as I know he's a big lad.

Well done and welcome back to the Challenge, Dave!

- Curt

From DaveS: Final units from my Florence Army (105pts)

 So after a few weeks break caused by work, I've finally managed to paint the last 2 units for my Florence army.

First of all, we have the unit of Crossbowmen.  These would be the last unit of troops that were from the districts of the city, and would have again had issues equipment.  They also have a banner, made using printable transfer paper on laminated kitchen foil again.

The other unit is a base of Landsknechts Pikemen.  These form the second base of a massed unit of pikemen for Basic Impetus 2.  Again, these are much more colourful than may have been historical, but they make a nice contrast to the more uniformed troops.

With this, I have finished the army.  This is still one of my favourite parts of the Basic Impetus 2 rules, that they have a fixed army list system which means that it is possible to "complete" an army.

So that is my second army finished during the challenge.  I won't get anywhere close to my target this year, due to other commitments, but with this, My HYW French and almost a Battalion of Battlemechs, I'm happy with what I've achieved.

Congratulations on finishing this army! They look great together. I have given you 500 bonus points for your flag. I have penalised you 500 points for not putting any labels on your post and not stating how many figures- looks like 21?

Barks

From DaveS: More Florentines (120pts)

So I missed the posting deadline last weeek, which means that I have 2 weeks worth of models today, although the rate of posting has slowed significantly due to work commitments.

First up, we have the first of 2 units of Landsknechts, which will together from a Pike Block for BI2.

These have followed my theme of them probably being a bit more colourful than was strictly necessary, but it gives them a visual impact, especially when compared to the red and white of the City State units.

Next, we have another unit of Polearms from the State of Florence.  These were again made from bits of the Warlord Landsknecht's and Perry European Mercenaries sets.  Florence would conscript able bodied men, and issued them with Harness and Halberd or Boar Spear.  To give the impression of centrally issued equipment, I have managed to use a small range of the armoured bodies to give them a pseudo uniform appearance.  Nothing incredibly creative in their paint jobs.

This gives me another 24x28mm models, which should be an even 120pts.  It also brings me over halfway to my target of 2000pts, and only just behind schedule.

Well done on reaching 1000 points! I'm confident you'll make your goal. I like how your Landsknechts contrast with the more uniform Florentines.

Barks

From DaveS: Heavy Metal (121 points)

This week has been a week of two halves.  I started with a plan to work lots on my Florence Army, and got started with that.  I managed to turn out a unit of Mounted Crossbowmen, a light cavalry unit, made, as is becomming traditional, from the Perry Plastic sets, with a few bits from the Warlord Landsknechts.  These are in teh same Red and White colour scheme that I have used for all of the regular forces for the army, and are, as usual, based for Basic Impetus II.

While I was waiting for an ebay order to get the Polearms I need to finish the last of the "regular" units that I have to do, I moved onto a unit that both inspired me to choose this project, and scared me a little.  THe Landsknechts.  I decided to start with a small "Skirmish" unit, the Zweihander armed models.  These, I think, are skirmishers only because they roamed in front of the main units.

I knew that I had to make them "colourful" and not uniformed. I think that I might have taken this a little bit too far with this unit, but will jusitfy it to myself by claiming that these are the most flamboyant of their troops.

At this point, my cunningly laid plans were thrown apart.  I love battletech, as may have been obvious from the number of my posts that are about it so far this year.  Unfortunately, it's been quite difficult to get hold of some of the new sets, and some of them have not yet been released.  So when I found out that the local shop had gotten in not a couple, but 5 new sets, I had to go shopping.  They also had the beginner box in.  Now, despite having been playing this game for nearly 30 years, I needed the beginner box simply because it is the only place that you can get the Griffin, a really rather useful medium Mech.  When it turned out that the other FLGS had got in some supplies of some of the models that had previosly been out of stock that I needed, I was like a kid in a candy store.

The goal for me, with Battletech, has always been to try and restrict my choices of mech to the force I am playing.  Rules wise, this is not required, but to me, it seems logical.  To that end, I spent a few hours with a list of models, the rulebooks, and both the "Master Unit List" and "Sarna" websites.  This, plus some planning, has led to me now having plotted out a Battalion of Mechs for the Capellan Confederation.  A lot of these had been painted, but I had 16 to do, to have the whole force painted.

To that end, I now present the first 8 of the "reinforcements" for the Battalion.

Cataphract

Centurion

Cyclops

Griffin

Highlander

King Crab

Of course, one small consequence of the plan to only use time and faction specific mechs, and to build to Battalion size is that it leaves me with left over mechs........Oh well, lookks like I'll have to learn to paint Lyran Alliance and Draconnis Combine as well..... and then there are all the new clan mechs....

Points wise, this is 4 cavalry (10pts), 5 infantry(5pts) and 8 mechs(7pts), for a total of 121 points

I do like your flamboyant swordsmen. The King Crab is a mech I don't think I've seen before and it looks kind of cool. Now you must paint an opposition with the leftovers!

Barks

From DaveS: Forces of Florence (180 points)

After I finished my French force, I promised an early 16th Century Florence army.  I picked this simply because it had Landsknechts in it.  Then I did some reading, and it turns out that Florence of the time was a very interesting place.  As well as the home of Machiavelli, who instituted considerable military reform, it was also a place where there was much more freedom than was customary for women.  It also turns out that it has a pretty flag.

The first 2 bases that I completed were the heavy cavalry.  These are based on the Perry plastic men at arms, and have a flag that is made in the same way as the ones for the French, using layers of foil.  This time, I used a home printed decal to add the device.

Next, I painted some handgunners, who in this system are a skirmish unit.  These were made from a combination of the Warlord Landsknechts and Perry European mercenaries.

Finally in this batch, we have a unit of the citizen militia.  These were part of the reforms that Machiavelli instituted, and were made of men picked from the populace of each district, and then given harness and either halberd or boar spear.  When I first planned this unit, I expected to have to cut down pikes and attach halberd heards to them.  However, I realised that the Landsknecht Zweihander box from warlord also includes parts to make a dozen polearm armed models.  So using selected bits from that kit, the arms, and again parts from the perry kit, I managed to make the unit without too much cutting and gluing.

 This gives me 10 cavalry and 16 infantry, all in 28mm.  This equals 180 points.

Coming up next, I will hopefully finish this army over the next week or so.  There are also a few bits for 15mm chain of command US that I need to finish.  Because I like to ruminate on my projects before starting them, I am also planning an English Civil War royalist army, which I will hopefully get done in this challenge as well.

A simple and effective colour scheme! I'm impressed at how quickly you pivot from project to project.

Barks

From DaveS: Heavy Metal (25 points)

Having finished the Hundred Years War French, and while waiting for the bases for the next project to arrive (preparedness is for other people), I decided to pull some more Battletech models from the pile.

I have been building up a Capellan force, using the newly released Catalyst Games lance packs.  I've shown some of those already.  In the background, one of the developments that the Capellans make, is to start to deploy reinforced units, consisting of 4 mechs with 2 supporting vehicles.

With all of my Battletech stuff, I have used the rules to almost roleplay my collection.  This means that while my Mechs are chosen based on what comes in the Lance packs, things like the quality of the pilots, and support vehicles have been randomly selected.  This means, that having rolled them on the appropriate tables, I added them to the lances.

First up, we have the vehicles supporting my recon lance.  This consisted of a pair of Pegasus Scout Hovercraft.  In game, these are at the heavily armed end of light hovercraft, and fortunately fit with the slightly slower, better armed scout lance that I already have.

Next, we have a pair of Long Range Missile Carriers.  These are incredibly slow, and lightly armoured, but pack an huge number of missiles, with some of the longest ranges in the game, and can be fired indirectly.  These support my fire support lance

Supporting my Assault lance, are a pair of Short Range Missile Carriers.  These are basically the same vehicle as the LRM carrier in game, but with shorter missiles.  In Battletech, SRM's are excellent at causing critical hits, and the 10 of them (60 missiles) that each of these carries is excellent for crippling mechs that have had their armour stripped by the Assault lance.  Their slow speed doesn't really hinder them, since they can keep up with the slow Assault Lance

At the heavy end of the range, we have a pair of Demolishers  These are absolute beasts, and HUGE as well.  They will support the command lance.

Finally, we have a pait of Condor Heavy Hover Tanks.  These support the Light Battle Lance that I have, and provide a nice mix of mobility and firepower.

Finally a group shot, showing all of the vehicles together.

These are apparently 8mm scale, which doesn't appear on the points.  I've scored them as 6mm vehicles, although they are quite large for this.

This gives me 10x6mm vehicles for 20pts.

This is a good coherent unit of hard sci-fi armour. I like the asymmetrical turret on the LRMCs, and the Demolishers look cool. I like the mix of tracked and hover. I'm going to award 2.5 points each here, as 6mm and 10mm vehicles are 2 and 3 points respectively.

Barks

From DaveS - Cry Havoc, and Let Slip the Dogs of War (55pts)

I've now finished my final unit for the French Hundred Years War army for Basic Impetus.  This consisted of the mounted Men at Arms.  These are again made from the Perry Plastics, but using the less armoured horses and riders, in order to try and differentiate between them and the Nobles.

With these, I also experimented with making banners.  I debated several methods, before finally going with kitchen foil.

I glued 2 layers of the foil togehter, before undercoating it, and then painting the banner.  This was then cut out, before wrapping around the pole and gluing together.  They were then "crinkled" to give them some life and shaded.  Each banner is thus made of 4 layers of the "extra strong" foil.  They seem like they will be durable enough for the job.

Above is the final army.  Currently only the cavalry have banners, but there are figures amongst the spearmen who would be suitable for banners, should I decide that I want to add them in the future.  The whole lot is going to have magnetic sheet attached to the base, so that it can be fixed to magnetic sheets on the bottom of a Really Useful Box.

The new models today give me another 5x28mm Cavalry, for another 50 points.

Congratulations on finishing this army! It looks spectacularly intimidating and represents great effort in knocking it over in just a few weeks.

I've heard of using lead sheet or wine bottle labels for banners back in the day, but your quad-thickness banner looks really good. Have +5 bonus banner points!

Barks